Bright Lights

Speirs and Major Associates has signed a contract with Aldar Properties to carry out the lighting design for the Al Raha Beach development. The award-winning company has been commissioned to design a project-wide, lighting master plan for all public realm areas of the development including parks, canals, pedestrian walkways and footbridges.

Speirs and Major Associates has signed a contract with Aldar Properties to carry out the lighting design for the Al Raha Beach development. The award-winning company has been commissioned to design a project-wide, lighting master plan for all public realm areas of the development including parks, canals, pedestrian walkways and footbridges. The plan is to use lighting as an integral feature to create a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment for the resort. Principal, Jonathan Speirs, was attracted to the project due to Aldar’s recognition of the importance of lighting in design: “We were impressed with the quality of the master plan and the client’s aspirations to provide such an outstanding project. Unlike lots of other major developments in Dubai, the client has identified that light is an integral part of the design. Aldar has a forethought that we found very refreshing. In a tourist destination, the after dark experience is just as important as the day experience.” The UK-based firm won the Award of Distinction at the 2000 International Illumination Design Awards for its external lighting design of the Burj Al Arab. Now Speirs aims to further raise creative standards in the Middle East by providing his full support to the first lighting design awards due to take place in this region. The inaugural MELDA’s (Middle East Lighting Design Awards) are to be staged in May 2007, by IIR Middle East, organisers of audio and lighting trade fairs, in a bid to put the region firmly on the lighting design map. The awards represent a unique opportunity to recognise the achievements of the world’s leading lighting designers in enhancing the region’s built environment with light. Entries will be accepted for completed projects in categories including: public buildings, hospitality & leisure, corporate, residential, retail and entertainment as well as an award for the most innovative product of the year and the coveted lighting designer of the year. Speirs, who will be actively involved in the initiative explains the significance of the awards: “With so many ambitious construction projects currently being planned and built, the after dark image is of major importance to both international brand identity and the iconic status of these developments.” He adds: “There has never been a Middle Eastern lighting design awards before and it’s vital to applaud great pieces of work. This is not just about Dubai but the whole Middle East, where the amount of building is considerable. While lighting is often an after-thought, in some projects it is well considered. We should celebrate the creative essence of successful lighting solutions with award ceremonies like MELDA.”